Sperm Transfer by Spermatophores in Glossina austeni Newstead

Experimental demonstration of possible cryptic female choice on male tsetse fly genitalia

“…Alternatively, males may have successfully deposited spermatophores filled with sperm, but females may have failed to transport the sperm to their spermathecae, or discarded spermatophores before their sperm entered her spermathecal ducts. Fragmentary results of previous studies suggest a possible active female role: in 7% of 28 G. morsitans females which had received a spermatophore from a normal male (a spermatophore was discarded after copulation), there were no sperm in their spermathecae (Saunders and Dodd, 1972); spermatophores discarded by females of the related G. austeni often contained ''considerable quantities'' of sperm (Pollock, 1970); 1 of 11 female G. austeni with a spermatophore in her uterus 24 h after copulation did not appear to have sperm in her spermathecae (Pollock, 1970). The reduction in the frequency with which sperm were present in the spermathecae of females whose sensory capacities were modified in the present study indicates that a female response some sort is involved.…”

“…The mouth of the spermatophore is placed in the mouth of the spermathecal duct in Glossina, which is distant from the spermathecae (Buxton, 1955;Pollock, 1974). Transfer of a spermatophore may not always associated with transfer of sperm to the spermatheace, as some discarded spermatophores of G. austeni contained ''considerable quantities'' of sperm (Pollock, 1970). Only a single egg is ovulated in each reproductive cycle, and ovulation of the female's first egg is triggered by her first copulation.…”

Bot flies (Insecta: Oestridae, part) and Glossinidae–Hippoboscidae derive from basal Ephydroidea, not Calyptratae

“…On the other hand, Glossina retains some plesiomorphic features not found in bot flies. Included under this heading are: functional mouthparts in the adult; presurstyli fully articulated between the epandrium and the subepandrial sclerite; sperm pump remaining attached to the aedeagal apodeme (Machado 1959;Pollock 1974b); and use of a spermatophore for sperm delivery (Pollock 1970(Pollock , 1974b. Such features are of particular interest because they extend our knowledge of the ground plan of the oestrid flies as a whole (i.e.…”

Species-Specific Behavioral Differences in Tsetse Fly Genital Morphology and Probable Cryptic Female Choice

“…Sperm transfer occurs just before separation, at the end of copulation (Jaensen 1979a, b). The male first constructs a spermatophore which is surrounded by a diffuse male accessory gland product and whose tip is inserted into the lower portion of the common spermathecal duct; sperm is then transferred into the spermatophore and (in smaller quantities) up the spermathecal duct (Pollock 1970(Pollock , 1974.…”